PATTI CAKE$ Writer/Director/Star Interviews & Review

Danielle Macdonald nearly turned down the lead role in Patti Cake$: she’d never rapped before. She accepted the challenge, and watching her performance it’s hard to believe she’s not a veteran of the genre. Macdonald practiced rapping in her closet (acoustics were better) and after hearing her Jersey accent on screen, learning she’s Australian only further emphasizes her skill.

Patti Cake$ is an underdog story about Patricia (Macdonald), a rapper who doesn’t look the part but perseveres anyway. While there’s a unifying theme of loss among the leads, the overarching message is one of finding strength within.

Writer/director Geremy Jasper spent years on this ode to rap. He utilizes a combination of shooting styles that complement each other well, further emphasizing the more magical elements of the story.